Pottery for Trauma Recovery in Utah

If you're healing from trauma, pottery might be the quiet practice your nervous system has been waiting for.

Healing from trauma isn’t a linear journey—it’s a slow unraveling and rediscovery. It requires safe spaces, gentle repetition, and small creative wins. And sometimes, words fall short. That’s where pottery comes in. At The Clay Hole in Draper, Utah, we hold space for trauma survivors to explore healing through clay—no expectations, no pressure, just presence.

Why Pottery Helps After Trauma

Pottery gives your body something to do while your heart catches up. The repetitive motions, the grounding texture of clay, and the tangible progress help regulate emotions and restore a sense of control. According to the National Library of Medicine, expressive arts therapies like ceramics can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve emotional resilience.

• The wheel’s rhythm soothes an overactive nervous system
• Touching clay helps reestablish body awareness and control
• Art becomes a voice when words are hard to find
• Classes offer quiet structure and gentle human connection
• No one asks you to share your story—you simply show up

You don’t need to be “healed” to start. You don’t need to be outgoing or artistic. Just curious. Just willing. See Membership Options & Prices

What Makes The Clay Hole a Safe Space for Healing

We understand how vulnerable healing can be. That’s why we’ve created a studio where trauma survivors of all kinds—emotional, physical, religious, relational—can simply be. Our space is calm, affirming, and staffed by kind, experienced instructors who know how to honor quiet healing.

• Weekly memberships (no one-time crowds or overstimulating events)
• Supportive community that values respect and consent
• Private hand-building and wheel areas available
• Couches, cocoa, and places to breathe between projects
• Studio owned by Dan Pearce, an artist who attends every class and honors all forms of healing

“I was coming out of a season of deep trauma, and The Clay Hole became my sanctuary. I cried more than once during class—but also laughed. And created. And healed.” — J.H.

*No studio can heal you—but the right studio can support the healing you do.*

Conclusion

You are not alone. You are not too broken. There is nothing “wrong” with you. You’ve just been carrying too much, for too long—and it’s time to create something with your hands instead. Let pottery help you come home to yourself again.

Join a Class and Let Clay Support Your Healing